The ex-Wales coach says he hopes the nation’s rugby chiefs have “learned from their mistakes” following the last clean-sweep in 2005.

Within a year of that triumph, Ruddock had departed his post and Welsh rugby was on the verge of imploding

WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis said lessons had been learned “the hard way” and the challenge now was to deal with success.

Ruddock said: “What could create difficulty is if it breaks up from within and the coaches don’t pull together. That certainly happened in 2005.”

A shock appointment as Wales coach in 2004, Ruddock had to work alongside skills coach Scott Johnson, who remained from previous coach Steve Hansen’s regime.

But Wales’ 2008 Grand Slam-winning coach Warren Gatland was allowed by the WRU to pick his own backroom staff.

Defence guru Shaun Edwards and attack coach Rob Howley have been instrumental in Wales’ phenomenal success in Gatland’s first campaign.

Ruddock’s team failed to build on their Grand Slam glory of 2005 as the best of the southern hemisphere beat the then kings of Europe.

He and the WRU parted company in acrimonious circumstances midway through the 2006 Six Nations as Welsh rugby threatened to fall apart.

Wales then under-performed for 18 months, which culminated in an embarrassingly early World Cup exit to Fiji last year.

Ruddock believes the class of 2008 can enjoy sustained success in Europe and against rugby’s elite, such as world champions South Africa and the great New Zealand, both of whom Wales play later this year.

“The most important thing is the head coach has an opportunity to pick his own coaching team,” said Ruddock.

“Everyone must be on the same wavelength and pulling together in the same direction.

“I think everyone has learned from 2005 and the WRU gave a vote of confidence for the coaching team.

“There seems to be harmony now because ultimately the head coach has got the coaches he wants on board to take the team forward.

“It’s important for the WRU to nail these guys down for the foreseeable future. That didn’t really happen in 2005 but I’m sure lessons have been learned.”

WRU group chief executive Lewis, who took over in 2006 after Ruddock left, said he had concentrated on getting “the right people on the bus, sitting in the right seats”.

“We’ve learnt our lessons the hard way in Wales now and dealing with success and coping with success is the challenge,” Lewis added.

Edwards’ initial WRU deal expired after the Six Nations but the Wasps head coach has told Wales rugby chiefs he wants to remain as Gatland’s assistant.

“Shaun Edwards is a great capture for Welsh rugby,” said Ruddock, who is now head coach at Worcester Warriors.

“England must be kicking themselves as he is doing so well in Wales but it is important Shaun is made to feel there is a long-term coaching pathway for him in Wales.

“The coaching team together have had a big impact and have ensured Wales have gone on to fulfil their potential.”

The architect of Wales’ first Grand Slam for 27 years believes the 2008 squad is stronger than his of three years ago.

“Their success hasn’t surprised me because they have a lot of fine players,” said Ruddock.

“Many players this year were involved in 2005 but the younger guys have added greater depth and quality to that squad.

“The emergence of James Hook, Alun Wyn Jones has developed superbly and Lee Byrne is a better player now.

“Wales are a lot stronger squad now than in 2005 but the question is why they didn’t do well before? Overall it looks a very healthy picture for Welsh rugby, a golden era of players possibly.

“Even though Ireland have won Triple Crowns, they have not made an impact in a World Cup or nailed a Grand Slam.

“And you could argue this is their golden era as players like Shane Horgan, Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy are a once-in-a-lifetime crop.

“They’ve had a certain amount of success but you could argue they haven’t gone the whole way and crossed the line to the very top level.

“But Wales have won two Grand Slams and have an opportunity for sustained success, as they’ve a good and very young squad with a great manager.”